LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 26 October 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The well-known mare Fair Jess, once the property of 3!r F. J. Bremer, dropped dead yesterday whilst being quietly ridden along near the racecourse. Mr Tattersall, who was riding, fortunately escaped injury. It is notified in this issue that a grand concert is to be given by the Okaiawa Maoris in the Opera House, Hawera, on Wednesday next, October 28. A splendid programme, including hakas, poi dances, Maori and pakeha songs, etc., has been arranged, and a most enjoyable evening's entertainment is assured. At a political meetincc not a hundred miles from Hawera a day or two ago, one of the candidates was making reference to an opponent, and said he was like a person "a certain gentleman named Aesop" had described — a wolf m sheep's clothing. And the speaker proceeded glibly with his speech, although he,, appeared to wonder why some people smiled. An Ormond correspondent gives the Poverty Bay Herald particulars of the docking at Mr R. C. Miller's Kia Ora station, the percentage being the best for the number of ewes on hill country that had come under the writer's notice during thirty years' experience. From I 3300 ewes 3755 lambs were docked, or a fraction over 114 per cent on the whole flock. The two-tooths, of which there are a thousand, of course were the lowest, only dbeking 73 J per cent; the other three paddocks were as follows: 137, 132, and 128*. Taking some of the paddocks as they came in, they worked out as high* as 145. A very large yarding of cattle will be offered at Messrs Jackson and Co.'s Wanganui yards on Wednesday next. W. K.-Howitt, of the Awatuna East bakery and store, inserts an advertisement of interest to residents of that district.

Second-hand Pianos. We have several good second-hand Pianos we desire to quit for cash or terms. Dixon and Bates, Hawfra.— Advt.

The meeting of Mr Major's committee advertised for to-night will be held in, the Opera House sideroom at 7.30 o'clock sharp, owing to the Foresters' Hall not being available. A Southern farmer (says an exchange)' has a ewe that has had 16 lambs in five seasons, and all but two were successj fully reared. The series were 2, 2, 5, 2, 5. The ewe is now about ten years ojjd, being a full-mouthed sheep when bought^ at the Levels clearing sale nearly five^ years ago. S In the hope of putting an end' to the dog nuisance, the Gisborne Borough Council has established a dog pound. A scale of fees has been arranged, and dogs unclaimed within seven days of being pounded are to be sold, but if not so disposed of will be destroyed. The Hawera Borough Band played an acceptable programme of music in the presence of a large number of listeners at the intersection of High and Regent streets on Saturday evening. The band is now practising three times a week :n: n preparation for the contest pieces, which will be received o»i the closing of nominations, about November 15. Members will then have to attend practice nightly. An occurrence, which though locally unique, has nevertheless been reported somewhat similarly from other piarts, happened the other day in Palmerston (says the Daily Times). A little girl on posting a letter in the College street pillar box, was startled by a thrush flying out of the aperture with a letter in its mouth". On the matter becoming known to the authorities, investigation revealed a nest in process of being, which was forcibly removed, by <the authorities with callous disregard of the feelings of "Ma" thrush. Apparently the clearer of the box was awaiting eggs for the augmenting of a collection,, as a thrush's nest in that particular pillar box could hardly pass unnoticed. The licensing question is being discu." ed with unusual energy in the Strat-* ford electorate,' and during the past woek the paper has been inundated with correspondence on the question. It had been reported that a little time ago there was an overwhelming number of drunks to be dealt with, so large, indeed that the lock-up, it is alleged, ** could not provide sufficient accommodfa- : tion, and a hastily provided Court hfcS'/ to meet on a Sunday to relievo the con-/ i gestion. Following on this the ques-'-tion was raised at a Borough Council meeting whether further gaol accommodation should not be asked for. One of the members, Mr W. P. Kirkwood (who is also Secretary of the Licensed Victuallers' Association) expressed the t opinion that the position was unusual and not likely to occur again. A correspondent immediately wrote thanking Mr Kirkwood for his assurance. In addition Mr Kirkwood and a lady signing "E. S. Read" began a controversy on the liquor question, and are now paying the newspaper to be allowed to con- - tinue it. The whole controversy seems to have thoroughly aroused the people. N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency , Co., Ltd., will hold their annual bull fair on October 29 at Hawera saleyards. Newton King announces that he will sell bullocks, steers, store cows, etc., at his yards on November 3. Additions are made in this issue- to Jackson's Wanganui stock sale. Attention is called to several announcements of Button's celebrated mangels advertised in this issue. H. Collier and Co., of Wanganui, are holding their annual sale of high-grade English pianos. Some handsome models by John Brinsmead and Sons are on view, also pianos by Chappell and Co, ' Oollard and Collard, Stephens and Sons, Kavestaff and* Sons. These are all straight from the makers, and are in. splendid* order. Good reductions in price for cash or exceptionally easy terms arranged from 20s per month. Call and inspect " at the sample room, r.egent street, Hawera. — Advt.